Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
5NPEB4AC3CH••••••2012 Hyundai SONATA
This build draws 3.2× more complaints than the average 2012 Hyundai SONATA build (59 vs 18).
59on this build
1461on the model
79builds in total
1involved a fire
Most reportedEngine 27Steering 16Exterior Lighting 7Air Bags 6
What owners of this build wrote
Fuel SystemfireNov 2014
The contact owns a 2012 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, an abnormal burning odor was noticed inside of the vehicle and a strong fuel odor emitted from the vehicle intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that a knocking sound was heard…
Electrical SystemSep 2025
Came off the highway to a stop sign went turn and the engine just seized and would not start no matter what I did. Had to have it towed to my house. Safety risk was just off the road so i did not get hit. Police stop and told me to get a tow truck. And no warning signs at all
EngineApr 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle briefly hesitated before starting. After starting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check…
Exterior LightingSep 2024
The driver side seat belt wont click and stay in almost half the time i drive my car… after reading other complaints its looking like this is a common thing. Within the past year ive noticed lots of times that when im going to lock my car with my fob, it wont lock and its…
SteeringDec 2019
The steering wheel clicks to the left and right, when steering. It's a rattling metal clicking sound. Car seems to steer, but the noise is worrisome. I can be driving and when I move steering wheel, it clicks and while driving or parked. It clicks with movement of steering wheel
Read all 59 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 5NPEB4AC3CH373220 · decoded Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.